Mr Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) Minister, has launched 10 regional media networks on Public Financial Management for effective reporting on local governance issues.
The networks, comprising an average 30 members from each region, would be taken through regular capacity building under the Local Government Capacity Support Project.
The training, which begun yesterday, is expected to equip journalists and information department officers with relevant skills and knowledge to engage metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies on effective financial management and promote citizen participation in local governance.

Mr Oppong-Fosu urged the participants to apply the knowledge they would acquire to inform citizens on relevant issues on local governance and to promote transparency and accountability.
Describing the media as a key partner in the national development agenda, he said, government is committed to working hand-in-hand with it (media) to ensure effective implementation of programmes and projects.
He indicated the training would equip the journalists with the needed information to help in addressing the challenges in local government public financial management and transparency as well as bring the necessary infrastructure and deepen the decentralization process.
“The media network on social accountability is to serve as a focal point for information sharing on local government public financial management issues and therefore go a long way to ensure transparency in our local government system,” Mr Opong-Fosu explained further.
Dr Affail Monney, President of the Ghana Journalist Association, observed that the critical need of journalists was capacity building.
He expressed the hope that the training would reflect in the quality of reportage.

Mr Akwasi Oppong-Fosu Local Government and Rural Development MLGRD Minister has launched 10 regional media networks on Public Financial Management for effective reporting on local governance issues The networks comprising an average 30 members from each region would be taken through regular capacity building under the Local Government Capacity Support Project